Locking mechanism for door latches



April 14, 1953 F K s 2,634,598

LOCKI NG MECHANISM FOR DOOR LATCHES Filed June 29, 1950 2 SHEETSSHEET l INVENTOR. ired {a zaer, @Z m April 14, 1953 F. KAISER ,634,

LOCKING MECHANISM FOR DOOR LATCHES Filed June 29, 1950 2 SI-IEETS--SHEET 2 Patented Apr. 14, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 7 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in door latch mechanism having manipulatable means operative from one side of the door, e. g. its inner side, for locking the latch mechanism against operation from the opposite side of the door, e. g. its outer side.

The invention has for an object to provide, in combination with a door latch mechanism of the kind contained in a casing mortised into the door body, novel means, associated with the inner door knob and its door latch mechanism actuating spindle, which is selectively manipulatable to lock the outer door knob against door latch mechanism actuation except by means of key operable means with which the outer door knob is equipped, or to couple the outer door knob to the door latch mechanism actuating spindle, whereby the latter can be freely operated by turning of the outer door knob.

The invention has for a further object to provide a locking mechanism for a door latch characterized as above stated which comprises a shiftable spindle clutch means associated with the outer door knob, said clutch means including a. lock element which normally releasably engages a lock plate incorporated in the rose of said outer door knob, means being provided for shifting the clutch means so as to release the lock element from the lock plate and at the same time to operatively engage the clutch means with the door latch actuating spindle; said latter means being operable either by the manipulating means associated with the inner door knob or by key actuated means associated with the outer door knob.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel means for holding the door latch mechanism in fixed alignment and operative relation to the door knob devices and the actuating spindle operated thereby.

Other objects of this invention, not at this time more particularly enumerated, will be understood from the following description of the same.

An ilustrative embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a fragmentary inside face view of a door which is equipped with the latch mechanism and novel locking means therefor according to this invention; Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view, taken on line 2-2 in Fig. 1, the locking means shown in condition whereby to prevent actuation of the door latch mechanism by the outer knob unless released by the key operable meanswith which said outer knob is provided; Fig. 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken on line 3--3 in Fig. 2; and Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view, taken on line 44 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to that of Fig. 2, but showing the locking means as released by the operation of the key operable means with which the outer door knob is provided, the knobs and their roses being shown in dotted outline.

Fig. 6 is a view, also similar to that of Fig. but showing the locking means as released by means associated with the inner door knob, the door knobs and their roses being also shown in this view in dotted outline.

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken on line 'II in Fig. 6; and Fig. 8 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken on line 88 in Fig. 5.

Similar characters of reference are employed in the above described views, to indicate corresponding parts.

Referring to the drawings, the reference character Ill indicates a door equipped with a latch mechanism and locking means therefor according to this invention. Mounted in a mortised opening, which extends into the door body from its free end, is a casing I I in which is housed the normally projected door latch bolt I 2. J ournaled in and between opposite side walls of the casing II is the hub I3 of a rotary cam piece which is shaped to provide oppositely extending cam elements I 4. Unitary with said latch bolt I2, to extend from the inner end thereof within the casing H, is a pull member I5 which terminates at its rearward end in spaced apart legs .I6 adapted to straddle the hub I3 of the cam piece. Said legs I6 of the pull member I5 are provided with angular terminal portions I I which are suitably shaped for operative engagement by the cam elements I4. The pull member I5 extends through a transverse partition member IS with which the interior of the casing II is provided at a point intermediate the cam piece and latch bolt. The latch bolt and its pull member is yieldably urged to latch bolt projecting position by a compression spring I9 which is engaged around the pull member between the inner or rear end of the door latch I2 and said partition member I8. The means for actuating the above described latch mechanism comprises a spindle I9 of square section which is aflixed to and extends inwardly from the inner door knob 20 through an inner shank of said inner knob terminates in an externally screw-threaded axial boss 22 of reduced diameter which extends through a journal piece 23 which is rotatably journaled by the rose structure. Said journal piece 23 is secured to the inner knob shank by a fastening nut 24 which is screwed onto the boss 22.

The outer door knob 25 is rotatably supported by an outer rose structure 26. Fixedly mounted within the interior of the outer door knob .is 'an outwardly open chambered core block "21, within the outer end portion of which is mounted the casing 28 of a pin lock which is provided with 'a rotatable key actuated barrelize. .saidrcore block 27 is slotted to embrace the radially projecting pin housing 30 of the pin lock, whereby the pin flock casing 28 is also afiixed to the outer doorknob 25 against rotation relative thereto. The core block 21 extends into the shank of the outer knob 25 and terminates in an axially projecting, externally screw-threaded boss 3! of reduced diameter. Said 'boss 3| extends through :a journal :piece :32 which is rotatably journaled by said outer "I088 structure 2.6; =said iournalpiece being secured to the outer knob shank bya fastening nut 3:3 which is screwed onto the *boss :3 l.

The outer rrose structure 726 :is :provided with a back plate :35 which :is --suitably secured thereto. Said back plate 54 is provided with "a :central bearing sleeve r35. Unitary'with the :innerend of the spindle l9 :is'an annular female clutch :piece 136 which :is rotatably supported 'said bearing sleeve 35. This clutch :piece :36is provided with an outwardly open rzlutch .socket 3] of "square cross-section.

Mounted on the back plate .3 3, "in alignment with the spindle I9 and its clutchpiece13 5,60%5130 be located within :the interior :of the outer rose :structure 126, .is a .lock plate'dfl, the annular skirt 39 of which abuts said back plate :3# andxis provided withclench'mg :lugs dflwhi'ch extend t'hrough and are clenched over :the back plate, thus :affixing the lock :plate to the flatter. The :lock :plate is provided "with a central square lock aperture M which corresponds-Ito :arndvis aligned with and in outwardly spaced ofis'et relation to the clutch socket 37 of the clutch piece :36. The boss 3'! :of the core block 2 within' the *outer door'knob 25 is 'providedwith -an.axia1 slideway A2 of square cross section. ."Ihis :s'lideway '42 :leads into the chambered interior 43 of said core block. The 'slide'Way'AZ is opposed to the lock aperture 4.! of lock plate 38 :in aligned relation thereto.

The spindle I 9 is provided-withan axial bore 44.

Journaled in the inner door knob 20 is the'shank 45 of a turn button as. Said 'Eturn button '46 is rotatably supported by the inner door knob 29 so as to be exposed at .the :end face thereof. Extending axially :from the shank 45 of the turn button l 6 throughth'e bore' l i :ofithe spindle $9 :is a longitudinal stem 47. This rst'em '47 extends through the lock plate 18 :and .slidew-a'y '42 into the chambered interior 4:3 of the :ollter door knob core block :2'Landfa1hxedto the free ,end'por'tion of this stem isahub .48 :h'avinga radially projecting thrust tongue thepurposeiof whichwill be hereinafter explained.

Slidably supported upon the stemAL-behind the hub 48 and its thrust tongue-A5, is a shiftable-outer door .knob lock and spindle clutch means. This .means comprises a-cam head 50 which ,is housed in the .chamberedinterior of the outerdoor knob core .block 21.. Extending rearwardly from said cam head 50 is a square shank-5|, the freeend of which .is slidably engaged the. slidew :42.

Said shank 5! terminates in a combined lock and male clutch piece 52 of square conformation, which is normally engaged in the lock aperture 4! of the lock plate 33. outwardly of said lock and clutch piece 52, the shank 5! is provided with a cylindrical release portion 53. The outer door knob lock and spindle clutch means is yieldably held in an outwardly shifted normal position, wherein its lock and clutch piece 52 is engaged in the -lock aperture 1. {of the lock plate 83, by means of a compression spring 54 which is mounted around the same between the inner end of the chambered interior 43 of the core block 21 and lthe cam head :56. The cam head 53 is provided on its external face with an outer annular oblique 'ca'm faceiE, and concentric thereto with an inner -.c.am :nosing 5.6., .the latter lying in the path of ro- "tary movement of the thrust piece 59 which is carried by the hub 48 with which the turn button manipulatable stem 47 is provided.

To the inner end at the key actuated barrel 29 of .the pin look, with which the outer door knob -25.-is provided, .is affixed a-thrust tongue 51' which {impinges upon the cam face 55 .of the cam head .50. The-barrel 29 :is-adapated to be actuated by a key 53 which, when entered therein, controls the pins (not shown) of .the pin look, so that the barrel-can-be rotated by the key. The cam head '53 is provided, at'the endof thecam face 55 with a shoulder 59 which is adapted to be engaged by the thrust tongue -51 at proper times, whereby to transmit to the ,shiftable outer knob lock and spindle .clutch means the rotary movement imparted to the key barrel 2:9 by the key 58.

"The rosestructures 21 and 2.6are aflixed to the respective interior :andlexterior faces of the door 4-0 by means of internally screw-threaded tie- :mernbers 16.8 which extend from the outer rose structure 2t through the door toward the inner rose structure .24, 'fasteningscrews 6! being engaged through said inner rose structure so as to screw intosaid tie-members .50, thus securely affixing the rose structures in place, and in such manner that removal thereof cannot be accomplished from theexteriorside of the door.

Novel means isprovided whereby the door knob mechanism-and the door. latch mechanism are .reta-ined against displacement from their mutually cooperative assembled relationshinand in properly aligned condition. This means comprises :an aligning coupler plate .62 which is affixed to the (10.01 latch bolt casing ll. The coupler plate 621's provided with oppositely eXtending perforate arms 63 through which pass the tie-members 6% in extention between the rose structures, .thus retaining thedoorlatchrnechanism and the door knob mechanism in -proper cooperative relation.

Referring to Eigs. v2, i3 and .4, the locking mechanism for .the door latch is shown .in the condition whereby the outer knob 2.5;is locked against manipulation operative to draw and release the doorlatch bolt .12. .In .this condition, the turn button id-operating through the stem 8-! disposes the hub 48 and thrust tongue 49 in the normal ;position.shown in Fig.3, so that the compression .spring 54 yieldably .holds the .cam head 59 and .shankfil .i-n outwardposition abutting the thrust tongue .51 of the pin .lock barrel 29. When the cam head iSOa-nd its shank 5! .are thus disposed, the combined lock and male clutch piece 52 is lodged in the lock aperture 5! of the .lock plate 3.8, and consequently turning of these parts is prevented, whereby the outer door knob 25 is also secured against turning. Under these circumstances, .the only .in which the door latch ing from the outside, is by use of the key 58. accomplish this, the key 58 is inserted in the bolt l2 can be drawn, to release the door for openkey barrel 29 so as to condition the pins of the pin lock to permit turning of the key barrel. By turning the key barrel with the key, the thrust tongue 51, which moves with the key barrel, is caused to first ride over and thrust against the outer cam face 55 of the cam head 50, thus sliding inward the cam head and its shank 5| against the tension of the compression spring 54 as shown in Fig. 5. Such inward movement of the shank 5| moves the combined lock and male clutch piece 52 out of the lock aperture 4| of the lock plate 38 and into the socket 3'! of the female clutch piece 36, thereby coupling the outer door knob through the core block 21 to the spindle l9, and at the same time aligns the cylindrical release portion 53 of shank 5| with the lock aperture 4| of the lock plate 38, whereby to permit rotative movement of the shank 5| relative to the lock plate (see Fig. 5). Thereafter, continued rotation of the key barrel 29 causes the thrust tongue 51 to impinge upon the shoulder 59 of the cam head 50, whereupon continued rotation of the key barrel imparts rotary movement to the cam head 50, its shank 5|, the outer door knob 25, and the male clutch piece 52, such rotary motion being transmitted by the latter to the spindle l9, whereby the cam piece |3--|4 of the latch bolt mechanism is actuated to draw back the pull member l5 and thus to retract the latch bolt |2 to door releasing position, so that the door I0 can thereupon be swung open from the outside.

If it is desired to set the locking mechanism for the door latch so that the latch boltmechanism can be actuated by the turning of the outer door knob 25 to permit free opening of the door from the outside, the turn button on the inner door knob 26 is given a quarter or ninety degree turn to the position shown in Fig. 6. Such movement of the turn button 46, operating through the stem 41, rotates the hub 48 and thrust tongue 49, thereby causing the latter to ride over and thrust against the inner cam nosing 55 of the cam head 50 thus sliding inward said cam head and its shank 5|. At the end of its thrusting movement, the thrust tongue drops into and comes to rest in a notch 56, thereby retaining the cam head and shank 5| in said inwardly thrust position. The inward movement of the cam head 50 and shank 5| carries the combined lock and male clutch piece 52 out of the lock aperture 4| of the lock plate 38 and into engagement with the female clutch piece of the spindle i3 While the release portion 53 is moved into alignment with said lock aperture 4| of the lock plate 38, thus freeing the cam head and its shank and male clutch piece for rotation (see Fig. 6). Under these conditions, it will be obvious that the outer knob 25 will be coupled to the spindle 9 so that the latter may be operated to retract the latch bolt I2 by means of the outer knob, when hand rotation of said knob is transmitted through the core block 2'5 to the square shank 5| of the clutch piece 52, which, under said conditions, is engaged in the clutch socket 3'! of the spindle carried female clutch piece 35.

When the turn button 56 is in the position shown in Fig. 2, the clutch piece 52 is engaged in the lock aperture 4|, and consequently prevents rotation of the shank 5|, and since the core block 21 with the outer knob 25 are non-rotatable relative to said shank 5|, the outer knob 25 can-' not be'hand turned, and the door latch bolt 2 cannot be actuated from the exterior side of the door except by the key controlled means with which the outer knob 25 is provided, when said key controlled means is manipulated in the manner shown in Fig. 5. Nevertheless, under these conditions, the door latch bolt l2 can be actuated by hand turning the inner knob 20, the shank of which is directly keyed or secured to the spindle l9, since the female clutch piece 36 is free to rotate relative the stationary shank 5|.

When the turn button 46 is rotated to the position shown in Fig. 6, the hub 48 and thrust tongue 49 are simultaneously turned against the inner cam nosing 56 of the shank 5!, whereby to shift said sank 5| so as to withdraw the clutch piece 52 from the lock aperture BI and enter the same in the female clutch piece 36 of the spindle |9. Under these conditions, the spindle l9 can be turned to actuate the door latch bolt I2 by hand turning either the inner knob or the outer knob.

Having now described my invention, I claim:

1. Latch mechanism for a door comprising a casing including a latch bolt and actuating means therefor, an inner rose mounted on the inner side of the door, an inner knob journaled in said inner rose, a spindle extending from the inner knob to operatively engage the latch bolt actuating means, an outer rose mounted on the outer side of the door, an outer knob journaled in said outer rose, means to engage the outer knob with said spindle, upper and lower tie means afiixed to the roses for extension therebetween in straddling relation to the latch bolt casing, a coupler plate affixed to said latch bolt casing, and said coupler plate having oppositely extending perforate arms through which said upper and lower tie means respectively extend, whereby to retain the latch bolt actuating means and the door knobs in cooperatively aligned relation.

2. Latch mechanism for a door comprising a latch bolt and actuating means therefor, an inner door knob and a rose for rotatably supporting the same, an outer door knob and a rose for rotatably supporting the same, a spindle rotatable with the inner knob to extend axially therefrom into operating engagement with the latch bolt actuating means, said spindle terminating outwardly of the latter in a female clutch piece, a slidably shiftable combined lock and male clutch piece axially mounted within and rotatable with the outer knob, an apertured lock plate fixed within the supporting rose of the outer knob, means to yieldably hold the lock and male clutch piece normally engaged with said lock plate and disengaged from the female clutch piece of the spindle, a pin lock and its key rotatable barrel mounted in the outer knob, a cam head on the outer end of said lock and male clutch piece, said cam head having concentric outer and inner cam portions, means connected with the key rotatable barrel for cooperation, upon key rotation of said barrel, with the outer cam portion of the cam head, whereby to disengage the lock and male clutch piece from the lock plate and engage the same with the female clutch piece of the spindle, thus freeing the outer knobfor spindle actuating rotation, and manipulatable means rotatably mounted in connection with the inner knob, said manipulatable means including means cooperative with the inner cam portion of the cam head, whereby, upon rotation of said manipulatable means, to disengage the lock and male clutch piece from the lock plate and engage the same with the female clutch piece of the spindle, thereby rrreeing the outer knob ffor spindle actuating mutation without :ne cessity aor pinFlock operation. 1

:3. match mechanism tor :a door comprising a latch' bolt and actuating means therefor, an inher door k-nob and la rose :for rotatably support- 'ing the same, an outer door knob and a rose for rotatably supporting the :same, :a :spindle rotatable with the inner knob to I extend axially therefrom into operating engagement with the latch bolt actuating means, said spindle terminating outwardly of the latter in a female clutch piece, a s'lidably sh if-tablecombinedlockand maleclutch piece axially mounted within and rotatable with the outer knob, an apertured lock plate fixed -within the supporting rose of the outer knob, means to yilda-bly hold the'lock and male-clutch piece normally engaged said lock plate and disengaged "from the female clutch piece of the spindle, a pin lock and its "key rotatable barrel mounted in the outer knob, a cam 'head on the outer end of said lock and male clutch piece, said cam 'head having concentric outer and inher cam portions, means connected with the key rotatable barrel for cooperation, upon key rotation of said barrel, with the outer cam portion oi "the cam head, whereby to disengage the lock and male clutch piece from the lock plate and engage the same "with the "female clutch piece Off the spindle, thus freeing the outer knob for spindle actuating rotation, 'manipulatable means .rotatadly mounted in connection with the inner knob, said manipuiatable "mean including means cooperative with the inner cam portion of the 4. Latch mechanism for a :door comprising a v latch bolt 'and actuatin 'means therefor, an inner door knob and 'a rose for =rotatably supporting the same, =an outer door knob and a rose for r rota-tably supporting *the same, a spindle rotat- Bible with the inner knob to extend axially there- :from in'to operating engagement with the latch "bolt actuating means, said spindle terminating outwardly of the latter in :a female clutch piece,

a slidably sli iitakble combined 'lock and male clutch piece axially mounted within and rotatable with the outer knob, an faper'tured lock plate fixed within the "supporting rose of the outer knob, means to 'yieldabl-y hold the lock and male clutch piece normally engaged with said lock plate and disengaged from the female clutch piece of the spindle, a cam head on the outer end of said lock and male clutch piece, said cam head having concentric-outer and inner campor- 't'ions, a pin lock and its key rotatable barrel mounted in the outer kncib, an axially offset thrust tongue projecting from the inner end of said barrel and-rotatable therewith to operative- 'ly engage theoutercam portion of the camhead, whereby, uponkey'rotation of said barrel, to disengage the lock and male clutch plate from the lock plate and engage the same with the .female clutch piece of the spindle, thus freeing the outer '"ikn'db for spindle factuatmg rotation, an

8 external turn button mounted on the inner Ekno'b. in stem extending from rgs'aid iturn button axially through a bore With which the :spindle ;is pro- Yided and thence through a bore with which the lock and male clutch piece :is provide, a :hub :afiixed to the :free end of said stem to project outwardly :of the :cam headand said hub having a radial thrust "tongue to :operatively engage the inner eam portion of the cam head, whereby, :upon rotation of said stem, to disengage the "lock and male :clutch piece from ithe lock plate :and engage the :same with the female clutch :piece :of "the spindle, thus freeing "the outer knob for spindle actuating :rotation without necessity for :pin'lock operation.

:5. Latch mechanism for :a door comprising a latch :bolt and actuating means therefor, an 'in- I-ner :door knob and :a rose for rotatably supporting the same, :an outer door knob and a :rose for :rotaftably supporting the same, a spindle rotatvable with the inner knob :to extend axially therefrom into operating engagement with the latch 'zbolt actuating means, said spindle terminating outwardly of the latter in a female clutch piece, a :slidably shiftable combined lock and male clutch piece axially mounted within and rotatable with the outer 'knob, an aper'tured lock plate fixed within the supporting rose of the outer skndb, means to yieldably hold the lock :and male clutch piece normally engaged with said dock plate and disengaged from the female :clutc'h piece of the spindle, a cam head on the outer end of said lock and male clutch piece,

.SELldfCEm head 'havingconcentric outer and inner cam portions, a pin lock and its key rotatable barrel mounted in the outer knob, an axially rofiset thrust tongue projecting from th inner end of said barrel and rotatable therewith to 'operatively engage the outer cam portion of the .cam :head, whereby to move the lock and male clutch piece to spindle clutching engagement with the female clutch piece during initial rota- :tive movement of said barrel, said outer cam portion having a terminal shoulder adapted to he tabutted by said thrust tongue, whereby to transmit rotary movement to the clutched spindle :upon continued rotative movement of said barrel, :an external turn :button mounted on the inner .knob, a stem extending from said turn button axially through a bore with which the spindle is provided :and thence through a bore with which 'the lock and male clutch piece is provided, a hub affixed to the free end of said :stem to project outwardly of the cam head, said hub having a radial thrust tongue to operatively engage the inner cam portion of the cam head, whereby .to move the 'lock and male clutch piece to spindle clutching position by manipulation "of the inner knob turn button, and said inner cam portion having :a terminalnotoh to receive said radial thrust lug, whereby to releasably retain the :lock and male :clutch piece in said spindle clutching position.

6. A latch mechanism according to claim 5 wherein the lock plate is provided with a square aperture, and the combined lock and male clutch piece is of corresponding square cross section and is provided with ;a cylindrical release portion adapted to register with sai lock plate operative when said lock :and male-clutch piece is moved into clutching engagement with the female-clutch piece, whereby to permit spindle aclatch bolt and actuating means therefor, an inner door knob and supporting rose, an outer door knob and supporting rose, a spindle extending from the inner knob to operatively engage the latch bolt actuating means, said spindle terminating outwardly of the latter in a female clutch piece, a shiftable combined lock and male clutch piece mounted within and rotatable with the outer knob, an apertured lock plate fixed within the rose of the outer knob, means to yieldably hold the lock and male clutch piece normally engaged with said lcck plate and disengaged from said female clutch piece, a pin lock and its key actuatable barrel mounted in the outer knob, means operable by the pin lock barrel for shifting the combined lock and male clutch piece to female clutch piece engaging position, said means comprising a cam head on the outer end of the lock and male clutch piece, said cam head having an outer cam surface, an axially offset thrust tongue afiixed to the inner end of said barrel to engage said outer cam surface, means connected with the inner knob for shifting the combined lock and male clutch piece comprising a turn button mounted on the inner knob,

FRED KAISER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,086,837 Montgomery Feb. 10, 1914 1,164,017 Reutter Dec. 14, 1915 1,686,406 Caplan Oct. 2, 1928 2,264,239 Hirsh Nov. 25, 1941 2,450 840 Milligan Oct. 5, 1948 2,482,926 Milligan Sept. 27, 1949 2,484,961 Russell et a1. Oct. 18, 1949 

